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Zhang Guang
Zhang Guang (259 – c.October 313), courtesy name Jingwu, was a military general of the Jin dynasty (266–420). He was involved in several significant military campaigns under the Jin, all of which he served with distinction and was eventually assigned to guard the Hanzhong region as the Inspector of Liang province (梁州; not to be confused with the Liang province (涼州) of modern-day Gansu which also existed at the time). Due to the fall of Western Jin, the Hanzhong was isolated from Jin control, and Zhang Guang was forced to govern the region with limited resources and pressure from the Cheng-Han dynasty, Chouchi and rebellious refugee groups. In the end, he was surrounded and died of illness while under siege.
Zhang Guang was a native of Zhongwu County (鐘武; in present-day on Hengnan County, Hubei) in Jiangxia Commandery. He was described in records as eight chi tall with a beautiful face and a loud but pleasant voice. His family owned a private army for several generations. In his youth, he was a subordinate official to the administrator of Jiangxia and later became Officer of the Standard. He distinguished himself during the Conquest of Wu by Jin in 280, and was promoted to Colonel of the western region of Jiangxia. He was eventually transferred to Colonel of Beidi Commmandery.
In 291, the Prince of Zhao, Sima Lun was assigned to guard the Guanzhong region. He was arbitrary in his governance, rewarding and punishing as he pleased, incurring the anger of the local Di and Qiang tribes. As a result, a large-scale rebellion in Guanzhong broke out in 296. The administrator of Beidi, Zhang Sun (張損) and several other officials were killed in battle. Zhang Guang led over a hundred men to defend the north of Mount Malan (馬蘭山; in present-day Tongchuan, Shaanxi), where they were besieged by the rebels for more than 100 days.
Fortunately for Zhang Guang and his men, the Prince of Liang, Sima Rong sent his general, Suo Jing to rescue them. The soldiers all reportedly cried as they were saved, and after they returned to Chang'an, Sima Rong sent a report of Zhang Guang's deeds to the imperial court, comparing him to the Han dynasty general, Geng Gong and insisting that they reward him. Thus, Zhang Guang was promoted to Administrator of Xinping.
In 304, the Prince of Changsha, Sima Ai was besieged in Luoyang by the Prince of Hejian, Sima Yong and the Prince of Chengdu, Sima Ying. During the siege, Sima Ai sent an edict to the Inspector of Yong province, Liu Chen and convinced him to attack Sima Yong's base in Chang'an. Zhang Guang was one of the administrators in the region who supported Liu Chen, but the latter entrusted most of his strategy to the Inspector of Qin province, Huangfu Zhong, a member of noble clans in the region. Huangfu looked down on Zhang Guang and refused to heed any of his suggestions. After Liu Chen was defeated, Zhang Guang was captured by Sima Yong, who questioned him about his strategy. With a stern expression, Zhang Guang replied, "It is precisely because Liu of Yongzhou refused to adopt my plans that you, Great King, are in this position." The prince was pleased with his answer and treated him with feasts. He then recommended Zhang Guang to become Guard General of the Right.
In 305, Sima Yong was now at war with the Prince of Donghai, Sima Yue. At the same time, the Jin general, Chen Min rebelled by occupying the Jiangnan region south of the Yangzi River and planned to invade Jing province. Yong appointed Zhang Guang as the administrator of Shunyang and promoted him to General of Mound and River before sending him with 5,000 infantry and cavalry units to campaign against Chen Min in Jing. The Inspector of Jing, Liu Hong respected Zhang Guang and even referred to him as a "talent of southern Chu".
Liu Hong's general, Tao Kan led the Jin forces to confront Chen Min's general, Qian Duan (錢端) at Zhangqi (長岐; in present-day Jiangxia District, Hubei). Just as they were about to fight, the commander of the infantry, Pi Chu (皮初) ordered Zhang Guang to set an ambush and wait for the right moment. Meanwhile, the commander of the navy, Miao Guang (苗光) hid his boats along the Mian river (沔水). After Pi Chu and the others began fighting, Zhang Guang led his forces to join in the attack, and the rebels were defeated both on land and water. Chen Min's invasion was thus repelled.
Liu Hong was rooting for Sima Yue to win the civil war, so the administrator of Nanyang, Wei Zhan (衞展) pointed out to him that Zhang Guang was a confidant of Sima Yong, and that he should execute him to show his allegiance. However, Liu Hong refused, believing that it was dishonourable to endanger another person's life to save his own. Instead, he sent a petition to the court requesting that they further promote Zhang Guang.
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Zhang Guang
Zhang Guang (259 – c.October 313), courtesy name Jingwu, was a military general of the Jin dynasty (266–420). He was involved in several significant military campaigns under the Jin, all of which he served with distinction and was eventually assigned to guard the Hanzhong region as the Inspector of Liang province (梁州; not to be confused with the Liang province (涼州) of modern-day Gansu which also existed at the time). Due to the fall of Western Jin, the Hanzhong was isolated from Jin control, and Zhang Guang was forced to govern the region with limited resources and pressure from the Cheng-Han dynasty, Chouchi and rebellious refugee groups. In the end, he was surrounded and died of illness while under siege.
Zhang Guang was a native of Zhongwu County (鐘武; in present-day on Hengnan County, Hubei) in Jiangxia Commandery. He was described in records as eight chi tall with a beautiful face and a loud but pleasant voice. His family owned a private army for several generations. In his youth, he was a subordinate official to the administrator of Jiangxia and later became Officer of the Standard. He distinguished himself during the Conquest of Wu by Jin in 280, and was promoted to Colonel of the western region of Jiangxia. He was eventually transferred to Colonel of Beidi Commmandery.
In 291, the Prince of Zhao, Sima Lun was assigned to guard the Guanzhong region. He was arbitrary in his governance, rewarding and punishing as he pleased, incurring the anger of the local Di and Qiang tribes. As a result, a large-scale rebellion in Guanzhong broke out in 296. The administrator of Beidi, Zhang Sun (張損) and several other officials were killed in battle. Zhang Guang led over a hundred men to defend the north of Mount Malan (馬蘭山; in present-day Tongchuan, Shaanxi), where they were besieged by the rebels for more than 100 days.
Fortunately for Zhang Guang and his men, the Prince of Liang, Sima Rong sent his general, Suo Jing to rescue them. The soldiers all reportedly cried as they were saved, and after they returned to Chang'an, Sima Rong sent a report of Zhang Guang's deeds to the imperial court, comparing him to the Han dynasty general, Geng Gong and insisting that they reward him. Thus, Zhang Guang was promoted to Administrator of Xinping.
In 304, the Prince of Changsha, Sima Ai was besieged in Luoyang by the Prince of Hejian, Sima Yong and the Prince of Chengdu, Sima Ying. During the siege, Sima Ai sent an edict to the Inspector of Yong province, Liu Chen and convinced him to attack Sima Yong's base in Chang'an. Zhang Guang was one of the administrators in the region who supported Liu Chen, but the latter entrusted most of his strategy to the Inspector of Qin province, Huangfu Zhong, a member of noble clans in the region. Huangfu looked down on Zhang Guang and refused to heed any of his suggestions. After Liu Chen was defeated, Zhang Guang was captured by Sima Yong, who questioned him about his strategy. With a stern expression, Zhang Guang replied, "It is precisely because Liu of Yongzhou refused to adopt my plans that you, Great King, are in this position." The prince was pleased with his answer and treated him with feasts. He then recommended Zhang Guang to become Guard General of the Right.
In 305, Sima Yong was now at war with the Prince of Donghai, Sima Yue. At the same time, the Jin general, Chen Min rebelled by occupying the Jiangnan region south of the Yangzi River and planned to invade Jing province. Yong appointed Zhang Guang as the administrator of Shunyang and promoted him to General of Mound and River before sending him with 5,000 infantry and cavalry units to campaign against Chen Min in Jing. The Inspector of Jing, Liu Hong respected Zhang Guang and even referred to him as a "talent of southern Chu".
Liu Hong's general, Tao Kan led the Jin forces to confront Chen Min's general, Qian Duan (錢端) at Zhangqi (長岐; in present-day Jiangxia District, Hubei). Just as they were about to fight, the commander of the infantry, Pi Chu (皮初) ordered Zhang Guang to set an ambush and wait for the right moment. Meanwhile, the commander of the navy, Miao Guang (苗光) hid his boats along the Mian river (沔水). After Pi Chu and the others began fighting, Zhang Guang led his forces to join in the attack, and the rebels were defeated both on land and water. Chen Min's invasion was thus repelled.
Liu Hong was rooting for Sima Yue to win the civil war, so the administrator of Nanyang, Wei Zhan (衞展) pointed out to him that Zhang Guang was a confidant of Sima Yong, and that he should execute him to show his allegiance. However, Liu Hong refused, believing that it was dishonourable to endanger another person's life to save his own. Instead, he sent a petition to the court requesting that they further promote Zhang Guang.